For the period of Friday December 19, 2008 to Thursday December 25, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 122 calls for assistance.
Friday December 19 – The weather on Friday afternoon may have been a contributing cause in a fire that broke out at 3:13 PM in a home in the 600 block of Chilton Avenue. The occupant of the home reported smoke in a lower level and alerted the fire department to a possible fire involving the electrical service. Firefighters arrived and confirmed that the fire involved the fuse box and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. National Grid was called to the scene to secure the power. The fire caused an estimated $3,000 to the home and is considered accidental.
Friday December 19 – Shortly before 7PM fire units from the LaSalle area of the city responded to the 7300 block of Buffalo Avenue for a reported automobile fire. Fire units arrived on the scene and found the engine compartment of the passenger vehicle well involved in fire with fire beginning to spread to the interior of the vehicle. Hoselines were quickly deployed to control the fire and limit any additional damage. The fire caused an estimated $1500 in damage to the vehicle.
Saturday December 20 – The 2200 block of Niagara Street was the scene of a late afternoon fire in a commercial building. At 3:27 PM firefighters were alerted to a kitchen fire and arrived to find active fire involving the deep fryers of the restaurant. Unable to use water on the grease fire, firefighters used dry chemical extinguishers to snuff out the flames. The fire did approximately $1000 in damage to the cooking equipment and because the fire involved an eating establishment, the Health Department was called to the scene.
Monday December 22 – The weekend weather kept firefighters busy responding to a series of incidents related to the cold, snowy conditions. Slips, trips, falls, medical emergencies, and auto accidents all kept fire units out on the city streets. Monday brought no relief with an auto accident in the 5600 block of Niagara Falls Blvd. At 9:43 AM firefighters were alerted to a possible car off the bridge at the area of the bridge and 56th street. Units arrived and found a car perilously close to “going over” the bridge with a report of injured occupants still inside. Firefighters were able to secure the vehicle and began to treat the injured occupants. Two people were transported to local facilities with non- life threatening injuries.
Monday December 22 – At 6:21 PM firefighters were dispatched to a call about a “suspicious” odor in a building in the 600 block of Chasm Avenue. Fire units arrived on the scene and determined that the odor was gasoline and began to look for the source while at the same time making sure that the potential flammable atmosphere did not ignite. Firefighters eventually determined that the source of the problem was behind a secured door and once they gained entry found a piece of snow removal equipment which had an active gasoline leak. The equipment was removed and the structure was ventilated to remove the fumes. Residents are reminded that the storage of gasoline and other flammable gases/liquids inside a structure is very dangerous and depending on the quantity and material may be illegal.
